Annie Into Our Hearts

You are too gracious and elegant to ask
I know that
but simply put, we are dog people
for forty years and more
yes, yes
there was the occasional unwilling kitten dragged home

That night –
you were the slimmest of shadows
weaving among us in the mist
neighbors banded together at nightfall
laughing with bravado – none of us foolish enough
to take you in

Later, like a moth attracted to the light
you crept into the garage
watching my husband work silently into the night

Owl, raccoon, coyote, bear. Aaghgh
you wouldn’t have made much of a meal
yet, something stirred within us
and we nursed you

Once recovered, you
grew comfortable greeting visitors
(cat) friends raved
“such a gorgeous Russian Blue!”
I could only stare – bemused
we were, after all, dog people

Archangel Cat
from thousands of miles across the western sea
we have since come years
travelled thousands of miles together
and still, sometimes –
sometimes you look at me: tentative, bewildered

Don’t muddle things, Annie
just come and sit next to me
you’re into our hearts forever